With all the research of the effects of global warming caused by the harmful chemicals we use and the exhaustion of natural resources as a result of all the energy production and other activities, it is evident that there is a need for more green living in order for us in order to safeguard the future. Usually only the industrial sector is targeted for making their activities more environment friendly, however the sheer number of houses on the planet needs to be addressed. The average carbon footprint of a home might be nowhere near that of a chemical industry, however when millions of houses add up, the ball game changes drastically. Here are a few top tips to make homes greener than ever before.
1: DIY Drain Cleaner
Okay so we agree to the fact that chemicals produce negative impact on the environment, in numerous homes, probably the area where most chemicals are utilized is the drain cleaning. The drain cleaner from the market is so full of chemicals that have been manufactured making use of so many natural resources. A DIY remedy not only serves the purpose as good as other chemical options but also reduces the negative impact on the environment. Just mix two cups of baking soda, four cups of boiling water and one cup of vinegar, your homemade free from chemicals drain clear is ready.
2: Install an Efficient Showerhead
Efficient showerheads are great solutions to save water waste. They don’t cost too much more than the regular options but have some ability to provide better luxurious feeling water on the skin yet saving thousands of gallons of water a year however everyone knows the amount of energy spent in cleaning water for domestic use.
3: Use Renewable Energy
In quite a few areas of the world, buying renewable energy is possible. Just ask your energy provider for the option and they will cost you only about $5 extra a month or even less than that. The extra bit of money spent will ensure your energy is coming from renewable sources reducing the carbon footprint significantly. This is one of the top tips to make homes greener than ever before.
4: Recycled Bathroom Water
There are options available in the market to get devices that reuse the sink water to flush the toilet. Also keep a bucket near the shower to fill it with the cold water at the start before the hot water kicks in, or vice versa in hotter places and use the filled up bucket to water the plants. This will save much water waste.
5: Keep Valuable Heat or Cold Inside
Tempered laminated glass windows have the ability to not let the heat or cold produced inside the houses leak out and require less of it to be produced in order to maintain the inside temperature. Install these windows correctly to ensure no heat or cold from the inside leaks outside.
6: Stop the Outside Temperature from Entering the House
It is equally important to keep the outside heat or cold from entering the house. The entering heat or cold will disrupt the inside temperature and will require great amount of energy to be spent to regain it. This can be achieved using those glass windows as well. Just make sure they are installed correctly sealing all leak points carefully with silicon.
7: Use Smart Heating and Cooling Systems
These days there are options of much smarter heating or cooling systems that require much less gas or electricity to be utilized in order to optimize the inside temperature. They also are very efficient in maintaining a pleasing room temperature. Use one of them even though the initial cost might look high, it will all pay off when the energy bills are reduced and also will keep the carbon footprint to a minimum level.
8: Run Washing Machines When Filled Up
Quite often washing machines are used even a single or a couple of clothes in them, the machines don’t know how many cloths are in; they will use full capacity of water and energy to complete their cycle. Fill them up and run them probably once a week depending on the requirement in order to minimize energy bills along with carbon footprint of the house.
9: Replace High Voltage Lights with LEDs
Regular 100 watt bulbs will use more electricity that will require a lot of natural resources. To renew or replace them with efficient LED’s that will cut energy bills and impact of the house on the environment at the same time.
10: Reduce Food Waste As Much As Possible
This is a special one, food is a natural resource no matter what form or type it is. Often in wealthy countries food is wasted than it is eaten at the average home. Make sure to use food intelligently, minimizing the wastage and even using the left over part of it the next day by keeping in freezers or fridges. This is more of an ethical scenario as well as the green factor enhancing situation as well.
